Frequently Asked Questions about Therapy for Men
Supporting men, teens, and neurodivergent adults with steady, practical counselling in Burlington.
What is therapy?
Therapy is a place to:
- Not be judged or gossiped about
- Hear an outside/objective perspective
- Be yourself and share what you can’t with others in your life
- Develop new skills and strategies for living well
- Get support without any strings attached
Is therapy a sign of weakness?
No: Seeking help is a sign of strength and proactive maintenance, like taking a car to a mechanic or going to a gym for physical fitness.
How do I know if I need therapy?
Therapy is recommended if you are:
- Consistently feeling “off”
- Overwhelmed (anger, fear, sadness)
- Worn out and frustrated
- Feeling stuck
- Seeing a pattern of poor-quality sleep, work, or relationships
What if I don’t know what to talk about?
This is completely normal. Therapists are trained to guide the conversation and will ask questions to help you identify goals, even if you start by simply saying, “I’m not sure why I’m here.”
Is therapy all just talk about feelings?
Not necessarily. Many men prefer Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which are practical, action-oriented, and focused on developing skills to manage stress, anger, or anxiety.
What if I don’t like my therapist?
That’s fine. Therapy is a relationship, and it’s more important that you find a good fit. Your therapist can refer you to another professional, or you are welcome to search for another one on your own. You are not locked into any minimum number of sessions.
Is everything I say confidential?
Almost everything. There are a few exceptions relating to safety, legal matters, and supervision. The therapist is required to review those exceptions at the start of the first session, where you can ask further questions. Also, you may choose to give written consent for your therapist to talk to other personal or professionals contacts in your life, but only topics or information that you give permission to disclose. Note: confidentiality doesn’t mean secrecy: you are welcome to share information from the session with others.
What helps therapy be more successful?
- A strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, safety, and collaboration
- You are ready for change, participating in session, open to some discomfort, and applying insights to your life
- The therapist is empathetic, curious, open to feedback, flexible, and well-trained
- The therapeutic approach and tools are appropriate, goals are clear, and sessions are at regular intervals
How long until I see results?
Results will vary depending on the complexity of the issues you are experiencing and the success factors described above; however, most clients typically begin to see some changes in 3-5 sessions.
How do I find a therapist who understands me?
There are many highly trained mental health professionals that you access using various therapist directories, asking for referrals from other healthcare professionals, or using search engines or AI tools to find therapists in your area. Many offer free discovery calls where you can begin to get a sense of their personality. To set up a discovery call with Orange Spark Counselling, click here.
Can I do virtual therapy?
Yes. In the past decade, an increasing percentage of therapists offer virtual services (i.e., phone, video call, or text messaging). Many men prefer virtual therapy as it reduces logistical challenges, offers privacy, and makes scheduling easier.
What if I can’t afford therapy?
First, check your health insurance to see if mental health expenses are covered. Otherwise, some therapists offer sliding-scale feels based on income. Note: there is no taxes charged on any regulated mental health services in Canada, including psychotherapy.
What if I think my teen needs therapy, but they are reluctant or resistant?
Parenting is tough. You are encouraged to have open dialogue about what therapy is and why you think they might find it helpful. If they are still reluctant, consider inviting them to try a discovery session and/or a first session.
If they are resistant but you are insistent that they attend (because you have significant concerns), the therapist will have an open dialogue with your teen about their questions, concerns, and reservations. Typically, at the end of the first session, the therapist will ask if the teen is willing to try 3 or 4 sessions together, and then they get to decide whether to continue or not. Most are agreeable to such an arrangement, because it seems more manageable, and they are a part of the decision.
What will the first therapy session be like at Orange Spark?
We start with a brief discussion about confidentiality, but most of the first session will be a conversation about your life, including school/work, relationships/friendships, home life, etc. If you have a lot to share, you will have the freedom to do so. If you aren’t sure what to say, the therapist will likely lead with more questions to get the conversation started. If you are open to it, the therapist can lead you through a quick practice exercise that you can use through the week that you may find helpful.
Note for teens: You have the option of inviting parent(s)/guardian(s) into the room with you for the first few minutes of the session if you are feeling a bit nervous.